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Tampa, Florida Forceps Injury Lawyers
Strong representation for birth injuries due to improper use of forceps
Obstetricians use forceps during a vaginal delivery when a baby is not progressing through the birth canal. At MattLaw, our medical malpractice lawyers hold physicians and other medical providers accountable when they fail to use forceps properly. Our Tampa forceps injury attorneys have been fighting for newborns and parents for more than 35 years. We work with medical experts to show why your obstetrician’s forceps use failed to comply with acceptable medical standards. We demand compensation for all your child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and other financial and emotional damages.
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Why are forceps used during a childbirth delivery?
The Cleveland Clinic states that forceps are “only used when vaginal delivery is in its final stages but not progressing, and when you or your baby’s health are at risk from prolonged labor.” The Cleveland Clinic also states that forceps may be considered if pushing by the mother is too stressful. Forceps may also be considered if your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen in the birth canal, and it’s critical that the doctor get the baby out of the canal immediately.
A few preconditions are that the baby “has to be at least halfway through the birth canal,” and the delivery team has to be able to tell what position the baby is in. If these conditions can’t be met, a C-section may be recommended.
Forceps (think medical salad tongs) are used to grasp the baby’s head inside the birth canal and rotate the baby or guide the baby out. Forceps are not normally used except in emergency situations. The alternative to the use of forceps is usually either vacuum extractors or a C-section.
According to the US National Institute of Health (NIH), forceps are used in about 1.1 percent of all vaginal births.
Forceps versus vacuum extractors
Generally, the choice to use forceps or vacuum extractors is based on the experience and training of the medical team. Forceps delivery requires more skill – but “there are some instances where forceps can work and vacuum extraction can’t.”
“While vacuum extraction requires your baby to be head-first and not rotated, forceps can deliver a breech baby (feet first). Forceps can be used to help rotate your baby into a better position for delivery. They also have a higher overall success rate than vacuum extraction.”
Forceps are considered unsafe if the mother isn’t fully dilated or if your baby:
- Is more than six weeks premature
- Has a bone or bleeding disorder
- Is “leading with their arms through the birth canal”
- “Looks like they may not fit through the birth canal”
Forceps are also considered unsafe if the position of your baby can’t be determined.
Mothers must give their informed consent – which means they must be advised of the risks of the use of forceps before or during the delivery.
If the use of forceps is successful, the delivery will be completed normally, Otherwise, a C-section may be recommended.
What are the risks or complications of forceps delivery?
Our Tampa forceps injury lawyers work with obstetricians and other medical professionals who can review whether your doctors were aware of the following risks and properly advised the mother – about the dangers of forceps delivery:
Dangers for the mother:
- Vaginal tears. “Tears are more common with forceps.”
- Tears of the muscle or wall of the rectum. These tears (known as third or fourth-degree tears) happen in about “10% of forceps deliveries, compared with 3% of unassisted deliveries.”
- Urinary difficulties or urinary incontinence after delivery. Vaginal tears increase this risk.
- Pelvic organ prolapse.This risk increases with the risk of perineal tears.
- Other injuries include a ruptured uterus, blood clots, anal sphincter injuries, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Dangers for the baby:
- Surface wounds. These wounds to the head or face normally heal within a few days.
- Temporary facial nerve palsy.This condition occurs when the nerves in the baby’s face produce “temporary muscle weakness and drooping of the face.” The condition takes a few weeks to heal.
- Skull fracture. A baby’s skull can be easily injured. Some fractures can be serious.
- Bleeding within the skull. While rare brain bleeds are serious. Doctors do need to monitor the baby for any sign of internal bleeding after delivery.
Other newborn injuries include jaundice, seizures, cerebral palsy, and HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy).
What medical mistakes cause forceps injuries in Tampa?
At MattLaw, our birth injury lawyers are skilled at showing why the use of forceps by your delivery team failed to comply with acceptable medical standards. Some of the issues we review include:
- Were there better alternatives than using forceps?
- Was the use of forceps necessary?
- Were the forceps used properly?
- Was the obstetrician properly trained in the use of forceps?
- Was the mother properly informed of the risks of using forceps before the delivery started and/or during the delivery?
What damages can parents and children receive for forceps injuries?
If the obstetrician, hospital, anesthesiologist, nurses, or any other healthcare providers did commit medical malpractice, we demand compensation for the following injuries to the mother and/or the newborn:
- The medical expenses. These costs include the amount to diagnose and treat the injuries, including hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, rehabilitative care, and other medical care.
- Lost wages. The mother is entitled to compensation for any income loss (current and future) due to her injuries.
- The physical pain and emotional suffering every day the mother or child hurts
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- The loss of enjoyment of life
Our Tampa forceps injury lawyers also file wrongful death claims if medical malpractice causes the death of a mother or a baby.
Don’t delay. Generally, medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the date of the malpractice, which is usually the date of the delivery.
Do you have a Tampa, Florida forceps injury lawyer near me?
MattLaw meets families at our Tampa, Florida office located at 304 S Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. We also have an office in St. Petersburg. Our birth injury lawyers meet families who can’t come to our office at their homes and healthcare facilities. Our legal team also consults with parents by phone and through online conferences.
We understand how anxious and angry you are. Our compassionate team is ready to answer your questions and explain how the claims process works.
Speak with our experienced Tampa forceps injury lawyers now
Mothers and children deserve to live their best lives possible from the very day a newborn is delivered into the world. At MattLaw, we’ve been fighting for personal injury victims for more than 35 years. We’re respected for our preparation, advocacy skills, negotiation skills, trial skills, and total dedication to our clients. Call our Tampa birth injury lawyers now or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis.